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OXFORD — Ben Bennett is a Miami University free safety who used to play linebacker in high school.

But when the sophomore from Capitol Heights, Md. is at his best, he is neither of those things.

He is a ball hawk who thinks any pass that is thrown in his general direction is meant for him, not the receiver.

"When the ball comes my way, it's mine," said Bennett, who proved it last month when his 78-yard interception returned paved the way for Miami's 38-27 comeback win over Charleston Southern on Sept. 13, the RedHawks' only victory so far this season.

"Every time I get in front of the ball," Bennett said, "I feel I'm taking it to the house."

Although it was the fifth-longest interception return in Miami history, Bennett did not make it to the end zone.

"I took it as far as I could go," he said. "I was kinda gassed out at the end. To be honest, I was tired. I laid on the ground for about 5 seconds."

That was just fine. Miami scored the go-ahead touchdown anyway on an 18-yard pass from Daniel Raudabaugh to Armand Robinson, and because Bennett was tackled at the Charleston Southern 21-yard line his family got an extra-close look.

"They were here" he said. I got stopped right about where they were sitting — my sister, Andrea; my mother, Debra, my father, Ben. They were able to see me up close.

"I actually didn't see them," Bennett said. "I got up and ran to the sidelines. But my father said he was looking right down on me."

For his performance — Bennett also made four tackles, including three solos — he was named Mid-American Conference East Division Defensive Player of the Week.

"During the game I didn't look at (the interception) as being that big," he said. "But now looking back, it's a huge play for the team and for me."

That game also was memorable for Bennett since it marked its first start as a RedHawk. He was taking the place of the injured Jordan Gafford.

"It's the first time I've played (steady) football for a long time, almost two years now," Bennett noted.

"I feel like I'm home again," he said. "I red-shirted my freshman year, and I played the nickel back and special teams last year."

Bennett is expected to start his fourth straight game Saturday, Oct. 11, at Northern Illinois while Gafford, listed as questionable, continues to work his way back from a stress fracture in the shin.

"We'll have to watch (Gafford) to see if he has progressed enough to where he can play," Miami coach Shane Montgomery said.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2197 or pconrad@coxohio.com.